Sometimes, your child’s oral health care is fairly routine. In addition to regular checkups and cleanings, your child might need a little extra help preventing things like cavities, but even that is usually a conservative procedure. In some cases, however, the issues your child experiences with their oral and facial structures can be much more complex. At our Livonia, MI, dental office, we may suggest orthotropic treatment for children who face complex concerns with their oral and facial structures. The customized system of appliances can help address the problem while still keeping your child’s treatment comfortable and convenient.
1. Your child’s face and smile seem misaligned
The alignment of your child’s facial and oral structures isn’t always obvious. For instance, you may not see that the nasal passage or airway are developing unevenly, which could lead to significant sleep breathing issues down the road. In some cases, however, it is noticeable in your child’s appearance. The face and smile may not seem to line up symmetrically, or one side of your child’s face may not align with the other side. If you notice such signs, then the misalignment may be severe, and your child might benefit from seeking orthotropic treatment as soon as possible.
2. Your child exhibits bite problems, like teeth-grinding
Even if your child’s facial and oral alignment issues aren’t visibly obvious, they can still create significant concerns that are. For example, misalignment is a common cause behind chronic teeth-grinding, which your child may experience during the day, at night, or both. This can cause your child to wear their teeth down significantly, causing more serious damage to their bite balance, teeth, and oral structures. If teeth-grinding becomes a problem for your child, then ask your dentist if an appropriate orthotropic appliance can help address the underlying cause of it.
3. Your child has trouble sleeping peacefully
If your child snores loudly every night or has trouble sleeping peacefully, then the problem may be due to a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. This involves an obstruction of your child’s airway caused by mouth and/or throat tissues, which may be caused by the improper growth and development of certain oral and facial structures. Orthotropic treatment can correct this growth and development to alleviate the obstruction and help your child rest peacefully every night.
Learn if orthotropics is right for your child
If your child shows these or other signs of oral and/or facial misalignment, then learn if orthotropic treatment is a good idea. For more information, or to schedule a consultation for your child, call the office of James Stewart, DDS in Livonia, MI, today at (734) 425-4400.